TBDH 08

Chapter 8

A ceiling she had never seen before came into view—ornate and dazzling enough to leave her eyes wide in astonishment. The delicate carvings and the faint golden gleam spoke of an ancient grandeur she could barely comprehend.

“You’re awake?”

Seo-yu turned her head sharply. The Lord of the Imperial Dragons was standing over her, his golden eyes calm and heavy with authority.

‘It’s the Dragon Lord…’

Relief washed over her for a brief instant—then her body went rigid.
There was a faint scent of herbs in the air, mixed with something stronger, like a medicinal brew. She realized she must be inside an infirmary.

Then… could it be?

Startled, Seo-yu tried to rise, but a hand pressed gently on her shoulder.

“Be at ease. You’ve already left the western lands.”

It was Hyeonrang, his tone quiet but firm, as though he could read the fear racing through her thoughts.

“This is our territory—more precisely, the domain of the Imperial Dragon Clan.”

Only then did Seo-yu notice the ceiling again—the swirling dragon motifs painted across it. Her tense body finally relaxed.
Her heart had been pounding at the thought that she might have somehow been returned to the Great-Antler Deer Clan.

The Inner Hall of Medicine, a place reserved for nobles of high rank, was one she had never once been allowed to enter.

‘If I go back alive, Lady Su-jeong will never forgive me… She might actually kill me this time.’

So caught in her relief, Seo-yu didn’t quite process why Hyeonrang had told her to be at ease. Instead, she timidly opened her mouth.

“Um… how did I… come here?”

Growl.

Before she could finish, a loud rumble erupted from her stomach. Her face flushed bright red.

“Seems your strength has returned.”

With a short chuckle, Hyeonrang pulled the bell cord.

A moment later, the door slid open. Two women entered the room gracefully.

“They will take care of you for now. Rest as much as you need, and speak freely if there’s anything you require.”

Standing up, Hyeonrang turned to the two attendants.

“Garam, Eunhyang. She’s my guest. Treat her well—without reserve.”

“Understood, my lord!”
“Yes, my lord.”

And with that, he left.

Seo-yu, left blinking in surprise, was greeted by the two women.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss! I’m Cho Garam, from the Green Serpent Clan!”
“I am Cheok Eunhyang, of the Seven-Faced Lizard Clan.”

Cho Garam had light-green hair coiled up into round buns on both sides of her head, giving her a lively look. Eunhyang’s violet hair, long and braided over one shoulder, hid her left eye beneath its soft fall.

‘A serpent beastwoman… this is my first time seeing one.’

In the western lands, most were furred beastfolk, and serpents were whispered about with deep distrust—cold, venomous, unfeeling.
But these two… didn’t seem frightening at all.

‘They serve the one who saved me. They must be kind people.’

Gathering her courage, Seo-yu bowed politely.

“Hello. I’m Seo-yu.”

Garam’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh my! What a lovely name! I bet the ‘Yu’ means ‘beautiful jade,’ doesn’t it? It suits you perfectly!”

Seo-yu’s cheeks burned.
She wasn’t lovely at all—thin, frail, “like a twig,” as Nok Su-jeong had often mocked. She couldn’t even read, so she didn’t know what her name truly meant.

…It probably doesn’t mean anything that nice.

Even if the compliment was empty courtesy, she couldn’t help feeling small and undeserving.

Before she could sink too far into her thoughts, the two attendants spoke again.

“Miss, you must be hungry. I’ll bring you a proper meal at once.”
“And while it’s being prepared, I’ll guide you to the bath.”

They divided their roles quickly and efficiently—just as Seo-yu herself used to do for others.

“I-I can help too! What should I—oh!”

The moment she tried to rise, pain lanced through her body, forcing her back down.

Garam gently tucked the blankets over her again.

“You don’t need to do anything, miss. You’re Lord Hyeonrang’s guest.”

“But…”

Seo-yu hesitated.

‘Wouldn’t it be shameless to just lie here?’

The Imperial Dragon Lord had saved her life. To simply receive his kindness felt unbearable.

Eunhyang spoke softly, her voice cool and composed.

“The Lord ordered us to serve you without restraint. If we fall short of your comfort… would that mean we’ve failed his command?”

“N-no! Not at all!”

“Then please, rest well—so we can fulfill our duty.”

Garam winked cheerfully beside her, and Seo-yu couldn’t find the heart to refuse again. She nodded.

Seo-yu was treated like royalty.

It was nothing like her life at the Great-Antler Deer Clan, where she’d only been called “young lady” in mockery.

“So warm…”

The bathwater was perfectly heated—just enough to melt away her weariness, and it smelled faintly of herbs. When she stepped out, a set of soft, freshly sun-dried clothes awaited her.

And then, a meal fit for a noble.

How can something smell so good?

Clink, clatter.

Seo-yu ate without even realizing how quickly the bowls emptied. The porridge, mixed with colorful vegetables, soothed her stomach; the fruits that followed were a little wilted, yet sweet and fragrant.

Before she knew it, the dishes were clean.

“I’ve never been this full in my life…”

Her belly rounded gently, an unfamiliar sight that made her laugh under her breath. She was patting it in wonder when the door opened again.

“Did the meal suit your taste, miss?”
“Yes! It was delicious. Thank you for the food.”

Garam smiled brightly.

“I’m relieved! The fruits of the east don’t stay fresh for long, so I was worried. I’m glad you liked them.”

Seo-yu tilted her head. “The east?”

Eunhyang asked quietly,

“Are you unfamiliar with the eastern provinces?”

Seo-yu hesitated, flustered. She hadn’t received proper education—there was much she didn’t know. Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze.

“Eunhyang! You cold-blooded lizard, stop saying strange things! You’ll scare her.”

Garam laughed, then added warmly,

“Don’t mind her, miss. Eastern folk might look distant, but we have deep hearts.”

“I—I don’t think that at all.”

“Hmm?”

Seo-yu fidgeted, then gathered her courage.

“Everyone here is so beautiful and graceful. You shine—Lady Garam, Lady Eunhyang… and Lord Hyeonrang too.”

Unlike her own rough, dull appearance, everyone she’d met in the eastern land seemed like figures from a storybook.

“Your hair… it’s so pretty. Like a princess’s.”

The two women exchanged amused glances.

“Then we must style your hair too, Lady Seo-yu.”
“Indeed. Sleeping with damp hair might give you a chill.”

“Oh? But my hair’s already dry—”

“Come, sit here.”

Garam guided her toward the window, while Eunhyang sat behind her with a crescent-shaped comb in hand.

Seo-yu squeezed her eyes shut.

“It’s… probably tangled—”

Srrrsh—

Instead of pain, there was only the gentle slide of the comb through her hair, soft and rhythmic. The scent of camellia oil filled the air.

“Tangled? Not at all! It’s smooth as silk.”
“Camellia oil does wonders. It makes the strands fall so easily.”

“C-camellia oil?”

Seo-yu’s eyes widened.

“That’s… so expensive… for me?”
“Why not? You’re the Lord’s honored guest.”

But I’m not someone precious.

Still, if she was the Dragon Lord’s guest, perhaps this much kindness made sense.

Then—

Click.

The comb snagged against something hard.

“Ah!”
“My apologies. Did that hurt?”
“N-no, I was just startled…”

Seo-yu paled.

‘It must’ve caught on my horn…!’